Policy Action CenterLegislation, Advocacy and Community-Building

In 2015, LEAD partnered with MA Senator Jennifer Flanagan to write Bill S.2114, an act ensuring all 700 high schools in Massachusetts would incorporate mental health into each health education curricula. With the passing of Bill S.2114, all schools would offer a mental-health focused version of health education, in addition to or as an alternative to the existing health class.

Show your support!

Email your state representative/senator advocating for Mental Health Promotion to be taught in your schools. The last time the Health Education standards were updated was 1999! As scientific research progresses and society changes, the knowledge being taught to students must also evolve and adapt to current needs.

Email your legislators and advocate for mental health education in high schools.

Why it Matters

Mental health education has been proven to reduce mental illness, stress, anxiety and self-harm in adolescence. A class promoting mental health is not taught at any public school in the United States. With children and teenagers suffering from mental illness at a higher rate than other age groups, we must make teaching coping mechanisms and emotional wellbeing a priority in our schools.

MA Senator Jennifer Flanagan

Bill S.2114

Public Testimony

Representatives from LEAD often appear in front of elected officials to provide public testimony on bills and issues. Advocating for access to mental healthcare, rehabilitation services for those addicted to substances, and mental health education in schools have all been issues LEAD has advocated for in the past.